OC’s Guatemalan partner school is one of Latin America’s largest

As one of the largest evangelical seminaries serving Latin America, Central American Theological Seminary (CATS) began as the Central American Bible Institute in 1929 with only nine students. Today, CATS has over 2,500 graduates and serves students from over 20 countries and denominations.

Through CATS’ degree programs (Diploma, Associate, Bachelor, Master and PhD), they aim to have every course contextualized and presented from the perspective of Latin American realities. Their programs prepare students for various Christian leadership roles, including pastor, missionary, Bible teacher and Christian education/school director. Graduates lead social action ministries and parachurch organizations as well.

Committed to spiritual formation, the seminary offers courses, mentoring groups and chapel time with spiritually formative elements in every course. Students participate in practical ministry in churches or ministry organizations every trimester and a ministry internship in their degree field. In addition, CATS serves alumni by hosting annual conferences aimed at their ministry needs, and the seminary’s servant leadership ultimately blesses the Kingdom as they share resources with many Latin American training institutions, including schools in Guatemala and Mexico.

Graduate William Quiñónez thanks God and CATS for giving him the theological, biblical and administrative tools he needs to develop his ministries. A youth pastor for five years, William’s ministry has reached over 200 youth in cell groups, missions, worship, community outreach and leadership training, and his church recently opened a community center that provides vocational training for all ages.